Post Op Fever

Question 1

What are causes of post op fever days 0-2?

Answer 1

1) Mild (under 38 C)
- Hematoma
- Tissue necrosis at operative site
2) Fever (Over 38 C)
- Atelectasis - collapsed lung may become secondarily infected
- Specific infections relating to surgery (ex. biliary infection after biliary surgery, UTI after uro)

Question 2

What are causes of fever post op days 3-5?

Answer 2

• Pneumonia
• Sepsis
• Wound infection
• Drip site infection or phlebitis
• Abscess formation
• DVT

Question 3

What are causes of post-op fever after 5 days

Answer 3

• Specific to surgery (bowel anastomosis breakdown, fistula formation)
• Wound infection
• Distant sites of infection
• DVT, PE